Meet Sculpture Artist, Federico Uribe - Transforming Violence into Beauty with Bullets

Gentle and brutal are not words commonly used to describe the same thing. Yet, in the realm of boundless creativity, Miami artist Federico Uribe has distinguished himself as a visionary who masterfully combines these juxtaposing elements. His creations range from animals sculpted from shimmering bullets to vibrant pieces crafted from colored pencils.

They dazzle with vivid hues and meticulous arrangements, evoking profound meanings beyond their aesthetic allure. Each work captures movement and grace, inviting viewers into a world where materials traditionally associated with violence or utility are skillfully converted into expressions of beauty and introspection. 

EARLY LIFE 

Federico was born in Bogota, Colombia, where he spent his formative years. While he always knew he wanted to be an artist, his family thought he was borderline insane. “They didn’t know how I was going to survive off it. But I did survive,” he laughs. He initially attended university in Colombia to study fine art and eventually moved to New York City, where he earned his MFA. In 1989, he began receiving grants to work in England, Brazil, Russia, and Mexico where he put down his paintbrush and started experimenting with different mediums.

 

“I have wanted to be an artist since I was a child. How people wanted to be policemen or firefighters, I wanted to be a painter. I was born for this.”

“The culture of handcrafting is very important in Mexico, and the work is incredibly high quality. These works inspired me to start buying various items from the streets of Mexico and toying with them. There were many objects for sale, and I quickly gained confidence as I played with them. It was like I had found my ‘thing."

ARTISTIC EVOLUTION THROUGH MEDIUMS

Federico's transition from painting to sculpting revealed a profound understanding of the meanings embedded in everyday objects. He perceives these items not merely for their practical use, but for their texture, form, and color. By carefully selecting and manipulating these objects, he found he could create powerful, expressive pieces that resonated on a deeper emotional level.

Inspired by his home country of Colombia, which has been at war for the last 60 years, Federico Uribe began crafting sculptures of animals using bullets sourced from a metal recycling company. It was then that he realized he could transform objects traditionally associated with pain and violence into something beautiful and thought-provoking.   

His artwork not only repurposes these materials, diverting them creatively from their original purpose, but also serves as poignant commentary on the senseless violence inflicted by humans on the natural world and ourselves. Over the course of his career, Federico is estimated to have repurposed over a million bullets for his artwork. Each sculpture imbues the materials with layered meanings, encouraging introspection and challenging viewers to reconsider the potential for beauty and contemplation in unexpected places.

“How I choose what objects to work with is based on reality and the thoughts real life events evoke. I paint with band-aids to signify children being victims of violence. Neck ties represent the new aristocracy. When I work with bullets, I’m making a statement on the death of innocence. In everybody.” 

AN ICON OF INNOVATION

Federico Uribe's evocative works of art have resonated deeply with collectors and art enthusiasts alike, including Domenico Dolce of Dolce & Gabbana. Notably, as one of the most well received artists at Art Basel Miami, Federico’s works have become increasingly sought after by prestigious museums, cementing his recognition in the art community over the last three decades.

He continues to inspire with his limitless creativity and innovative spirit. Federico's work delves into the depths of the human psyche, prompting us to confront our darker elements and encouraging us to see even bullets, man-made vehicles of destruction, as objects of beauty. For those experiencing Federico’s art for the first time, it’s a journey of discovery and wonder. Whether it’s the gentle beauty of animals crafted from bullets or the playful nostalgia of sculptures made from colored pencils, Federico’s work challenges and inspires in equal measure.